Latest news with #Tunisie
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia: Launch of business competitveness support and citizens economic empowerment programme announced
Tunis - Minister of Employment and Vocational Training Riadh Chaoued announced on Wednesday in Tunis the launch of a programme to support business competitiveness and the economic empowerment of citizens through job creation. While presiding over the signing of an agreement with the Tunisian Solidarity Bank, the Minister explained that the programme is financed by a €90 million loan agreed between Tunisia and the African Development Bank (AfDB) in September 2024. It aims to contribute to job creation and support economic and social integration by improving the employability of job seekers and developing their skills through complementary training and entrepreneurship support. It will also support the establishment of a self-employment system and develop and support institutional capacities to improve governance of employment, training and support programmes. He explained that the programme consists of several elements, most notably an agreement with the Tunisian Solidarity Bank providing approximately €50 million in funding to establish around 13,000 enterprises between 2025 and 2027. He added: 'The programme is ambitious and has important social and economic dimensions. It aims to support enterprises and empower citizens economically by creating decent jobs', emphasising that the Ministry is adopting a new results-based approach to its work. The Minister of Employment explained that funding is now conditional on achieving specific indicators relating to complementary training, self-employment and the establishment of enterprises. He warned that if these targets are not met, the funds will not be transferred. He pointed out that this new approach stems from past lessons, when Tunisia suffered from loans that were misused or simply consumed, and explained that the current vision is based on only resorting to loans if they are directed towards achieving concrete development goals. The Minister of Employment said the programme to support the competitiveness of enterprises and the economic empowerment of citizens is not only for new enterprises, but also for existing enterprises that are experiencing difficulties and require financing or equipment to continue their activities and preserve jobs. He added that the conditions for accessing financing are favourable, as project initiators are not required to provide self-financing and will not be charged interest on loans for up to 19 years. He said he believed that these and other incentives will encourage young people and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises, whether new or existing, to start afresh or expand their activities. The minister announced that the programme will launch on June 16 and those wishing to apply for funding can submit their applications to the Tunisian Solidarity Bank and its regional branches. He added that the ministry is working to ensure the first batch of enterprises will receive funding in the same week. 'The types of projects will be open to all fields, and it is important that they be economically viable and capable of creating or preserving jobs,' Chouaed underscored, noting that new projects or business expansions may include agriculture, industry, services, cultural industries, and more. The minister emphasised that the new direction of the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training reflects a shift in its role. It is no longer solely concerned with traditional training and employment; it has also become a direct supporter of the economic fabric by financing small and medium-sized enterprises and creating job opportunities. He explained that this change is due to the commitment to the July 25, 2022 constitution, which considers work to be a constitutional right. In conclusion, he said, 'We work within the framework of the comprehensive state policy outlined by the President of the Republic, and we strive to play an active role in building a true social state where employment, production, and support for free enterprise are at the heart of national priorities.' Director General of the Tunisian Solidarity Bank, Khelifa Sboui, explained that the programme aims to support vulnerable groups, particularly young people, graduates and women. Priority will be given to social and environmentally friendly projects. He revealed that the programme provides financing of up to 200,000 dinars and aims to create 13,000 projects. Financing is available for equipment and working capital, and the programme offers flexible conditions and special incentives for women and rural residents. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia: Prime Ministry announces key aspects of State's economic and social programme
Tunis – The Prime Ministry, on Saturday afternoon, announced the main pillars of the state's economic and social programme following a Cabinet meeting held on the same day at the Government Palace in Kasbah, chaired by Prime Minister, Sara Zaafrani Zenzri. The state's economic and social programme covers several key sectors, including health, finance, education, science, industry, energy, youth, sports, culture, administration, and various public services, according to a Prime Ministry statement. Promoting Employment and Improving Living Standards The programme primarily focuses on employment, improving living standards, strengthening the social protection system, and enhancing human capital, particularly by developing social policies to achieve social justice. Several measures will be adopted to preserve the purchasing power of low- and middle-income groups, expand social support for vulnerable populations, and provide guidance and assistance for project startups, the statement noted. Additionally, the programme aims to accelerate measures related to income improvement, boost economic and social integration mechanisms, create job opportunities, ensure decent working conditions, and eliminate precarious employment. It also seeks to facilitate access to housing, strengthen social cohesion, enhance public services, and develop social security and coverage systems. Implementing Legislative Reforms The state's economic and social programme also includes legislative reforms as a fundamental lever to translate economic and social approaches into tangible reality, adapting the legal framework to the current phase's requirements and challenges, according to the same source. Reforming the education system The programme also focuses on reforming and developing the education, higher education, and vocational training systems to align with labor market demands. It aims to improve the healthcare system, promote cultural, youth, and sports activities to enhance human capital, and boost investment within a comprehensive framework that encourages entrepreneurship and fosters its culture and improves the business climate. Driving investment in a comprehensive framework This approach is also based on promoting investment through a holistic strategy that includes liberating private initiative, spreading a culture of entrepreneurship, improving the business environment, optimising real estate assets, advancing public projects, and developing transport infrastructure. This involves modernising ports and airports, strengthening rail networks, expanding road networks, enhancing trade, territorial planning, ensuring food security, developing industry and tourism, digitising public services, protecting the economic fabric, regulating imports, supporting exports, streamlining customs procedures, and enforcing trade defence mechanisms. The state programme also includes accelerating the energy transition and increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity production to address growing climate and energy challenges, protecting the coastline, and promoting a circular economy. Boosting regional development dynamics The programme adopts a regional development approach based on constitutional principles to drive growth in regions, which will contribute to shaping their priorities through a new participatory methodology. This process starts with proposing programmes and projects at the local council level, then the regional council, followed by the district council, and finally at the national level. Based on this, the 2026-2030 Development Plan will be prepared, alongside supporting the system of communitarian enterprises, the statement added. Advancing the digital transformation of administration The programme also includes the digital transformation of the administration, accelerating interconnections that will serve as a pivotal lever for the state's economic and social programme. This transformation will modernise administration, ensure transparency, facilitate transactions, open new horizons for the digital economy, stimulate youth initiatives, develop remote administrative services, advance the digital economy, protect the national cyberspace, and strengthen digital trust. The Prime Ministry emphasised that an advanced methodology will be adopted to monitor the implementation of all measures and projects under the economic and social programme. This will be based on performance indicators linked to specific timelines, using modern technological monitoring tools to proactively address challenges, ensuring the timely realisation of these measures and projects, according to the statement. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia calls for redefining development priorities in Arab world, boosting inter-Arab trade
Tunis - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, Mohamed Ali Nafti, headed the Tunisian delegation participating in the 5th Arab Economic and Social Development Summit held in Baghdad on Saturday. He delivered a speech on behalf of President Kais Saied, emphasising Tunisia's commitment to addressing development challenges as the most effective means to counter security and social threats. According to a Foreign Ministry statement, Tunisia called for redefining development priorities in the Arab world through a shared, innovative vision centered on the Arab citizen and aimed at meeting their economic and social needs. It stressed the need to bridge developmental, knowledge, and technological gaps among Arab nations and boost intra-Arab trade, which remains below potential at just 13% of total Arab foreign trade. Tunisia also underscored the importance of developing effective strategies to enhance food security, mitigate water scarcity, and address environmental risks. It also urged support for infrastructure, transport, electricity, and smart city projects, alongside advancing the Greater Arab Free Trade Area and transitioning to an Arab Customs Union to strengthen national economies. Highlighting the importance of reform, governance, and equitable wealth distribution, Tunisia asserted that true development requires social justice, including economic empowerment and social protection for vulnerable groups. The country reaffirmed its commitment to regional programmes for women's economic and social empowerment, enhancing women's participation in labour markets and decision-making and creating legislative environments that promote equality. Tunisia also said it was looking forward to active Arab participation in the preparatory regional meeting for the 2nd World Summit for Social Development, hosted in Tunis on June 30 and July 1, 2025. It pledged support for initiatives serving Arab peoples' interests and called for stronger partnerships between Arab states and regional/international blocs. It urged the practical implementation of summit recommendations to ensure tangible progress. Minister Nafti also led Tunisia's delegation at the 34th Ordinary Arab Summit, held concurrently in Baghdad. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Tunisia: Prime Minister urges accelerated implementation of economic and social public projects
Tunis – Prime Minister Sara Zaafrani Zenzri urged all relevant ministries to redouble their efforts and enhance daily field monitoring to expedite the implementation of public projects across economic and social sectors, as she chaired a cabinet meeting at the Kasbah on Monday. She emphasised the need for high-quality completion within optimal deadlines, holding accountable any party causing delays or failing to resolve obstacles. Zenzri affirmed that the Prime Ministry's offices would continue overseeing all details of these economic and social projects, which are critical to boosting economic growth. According to a statement from the Prime Ministry, she stressed the importance of intensified coordination among all stakeholders to address challenges hindering project execution. 'This aligns with the President of the Republic's directives to streamline procedures, shorten timelines, and meet deadlines to fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Tunisian people.' These vitally important projects are particularly relevant to the following sectors: Health: Construction and equipping of hospitals in multiple governorates and rehabilitation and modernisation of medical departments and hospital IT systems. Education and vocational training: Upgrading infrastructure in primary schools, project to support the quality of the basics of school education, project to support primary education, programme to develop vocational training, programme to support vocational training and integration and construction and equipping of higher education institutions. Cultural Affairs: Restoration of the historic Zitoune Mosque and its surrounding area in Tunis. Religious Affairs: Maintenance of King Abdulaziz Al Saud Mosque in Tunis. Environment: Completion of the Small Municipalities Cleanup Programme, the Energy Control Programme for wastewater treatment plants, the Integrated Decontamination Programme for the Bizerte Lake area, and the protection of the coastline from sea erosion in Gammarth, Carthage and La Goulette. Transport: High-speed rail network project. Energy and Mines: 'Mdhilla 2" project, natural gas transmission network project, development of the natural gas transmission and distribution network, project to upgrade and equip the electricity transmission network, and programme to support the installation of the national plan 'Digital Tunisia'. Public Works and Housing: - Bizerte Bridge and Tunis-Jelma motorway and second phase of the Programme for the Rehabilitation and Integration of Residential Areas. Agriculture and Water Resources: Deep well development in southern oases, Saïda and Kalaa Kebira dams and water transfer systems related to them, drinking water network improvements, three new dams and integrated agricultural development in Sfax. Regional and local development: Financing line project created for the Fund for the Promotion and Assistance of Local Communities. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Tunisia: Year-long arbitrary detention of human rights defenders working with refugees and migrants
Tunisian authorities must immediately release human rights defenders, NGO workers, and former local officials who have been held in arbitrary pre-trial detention for one year because of their legitimate support for refugees and migrants, Amnesty International said today. The ongoing crackdown, part of a broader assault on civil society in Tunisia, was fueled by escalating xenophobia and has severely disrupted crucial assistance for refugees and migrants. Since May 2024, Tunisian authorities have raided at least three NGOs providing critical assistance to refugees and migrants, arresting and detaining at least eight NGO workers, as well as two former local officials who cooperated with them. They also opened criminal investigations into at least 40 other individuals in relation to legitimate NGO work to support refugees and migrants. 'It is deeply shocking that these human rights defenders have now spent over a year in arbitrary detention, for simply assisting refugees and migrants in precarious situations. They should have never been arrested in the first place,' said Sara Hashash, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International. 'This reckless crackdown on the staff of organizations operating under Tunisian law has had devastating humanitarian consequences for refugees and migrants in the country and represents a deeply harmful setback for human rights in Tunisia. The Tunisian authorities must immediately release and drop all charges against those detained solely for their human rights and humanitarian work.' On 3 and 4 May 2024, Tunisian police arrested Mustapha Djemali and Abderrazak Krimi, respectively director and project manager of the Tunisian Council for Refugees (CTR), a Tunisian NGO working with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Tunisian authorities to pre-register asylum seekers and provide essential assistance to refugees and asylum seekers. Authorities have held them under successive pretrial detention orders for over a year now, while investigating them for 'assisting the clandestine entry' of foreign nationals and 'providing [them] shelter', solely based on their work for the CTR. From 7 to 13 May 2024, the police arrested Sherifa Riahi, Yadh Bousselmi and Mohamed Joo, respectively former director, director and administrative and financial director of Terre d'asile Tunisie, the Tunisian branch of French NGO France Terre d'asile. Judicial authorities have held them in pretrial detention since then and are prosecuting them on charges of 'sheltering individuals illegally entering or leaving the territory' and 'facilitating the irregular entry, exit, movement or stay of a foreigner', solely for providing critical assistance to refugees and migrants. When closing the investigation, the investigative judge cited a 'European-backed civil society plan to promote the social and economic integration of irregular migrants into Tunisia and their permanent settlement' to support the charge. On 11 May 2024, the police also arrested former deputy mayor of Sousse Imen Ouardani under the same charges, as well as the additional charge of using her position as public official 'to obtain an unjustified advantage or harm the administration,' solely because of the collaboration between the municipality and Terre d'asile Tunisie. Under international law, pretrial detention should only be used as an exception, to avoid undermining the presumption of innocence, and based on an individualized assessment which shows that the detention is necessary and proportionate because of a substantial risk of flight, interference with the investigation, harm to others or reiteration of the alleged offence. The Tunisian authorities have not demonstrated any of these grounds with regard to these individuals. 'Detaining human rights defenders criminalizes essential human rights and humanitarian work. Providing support to refugees and migrants – irrespective of their legal status – is protected under international law and should never be equated with human smuggling or trafficking,' said Sara Hashash. Tunisia is party to the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols, which set out precise standards for the definition of human smuggling and trafficking, exempting legitimate human rights and humanitarian work. The May 2024 crackdown took place after xenophobic and racist social media smear campaigns against several organizations including the CTR and Terre d'asile Tunisie, after the CTR published a tender for hotels to shelter asylum seekers and refugees in precarious situations, in response to a request for assistance from UNHCR and local authorities. On 6 May 2024, President Kais Saied accused NGOs working on migration of being 'traitors' and '[foreign] agents', and of seeking the 'settlement' of Sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia. A day later, a public prosecutor in Tunis announced the opening of an investigation against NGOs for providing 'financial support to illegal migrants'. The crackdown which has involved the detention of NGO staff and freezing of NGOs' bank accounts has triggered the suspension of vital services since May 2024, disrupting access to asylum procedures, shelter, healthcare, child protection, and legal aid. This has left potentially thousands of refugees and migrants, including unaccompanied children, in precarious and uncertain situations and at greater risk of facing human rights violations and abuse. In April 2025, Tunisia's Interior Minister, Khaled Ennouri, said that the authorities were prepared to 'confront all plans to alter the demographic composition of the Tunisian population'. Such comments have contributed to an ongoing spike in racist violence against Black refugees and migrants, notably in border regions. Social media users have shared videos of themselves 'tracking down [Black] Africans' and threatening violence and other abuse against them. Other organizations targeted include anti-racism organization Mnemty – nine of their staff and partners have been under investigation since May 2024 for financial crimes for which the authorities have yet to provide evidence – and the children's rights NGO Children of the Moon of Medenine. Authorities have also detained the executive director of the Association for the Promotion of the Right to Difference (ADD), Salwa Ghrissa, since 12 December 2024, pending investigation into the organization's funding. 'Tunisian authorities must immediately cease the criminalization of human rights and humanitarian work and end the dangerous scapegoating and vilification of civil society,' said Sara Hashash. Background Racist and xenophobic rhetoric has been repeated by Tunisian officials and members of the parliament over the past two years, starting with racist remarks made by President Kais Saied in February 2023. Since May 2024, Tunisian authorities have also continued to carry out forced evictions and unlawful collective expulsions of refugees and migrants to Libya and Algeria regularly. In early April 2025, authorities announced an 'operation of dismantlement' in the eastern region of Sfax, where refugees and migrants had established makeshift camps in the past two years, after having been forcibly evicted and relocated from urban areas by the authorities. The wave of arrests of May 2024 is part of a wider attack on civil society. Ahead of the 2024 October presidential elections, authorities opened investigations into NGOs I Watch and Mourakiboun in relation to their funding and prevented them from observing the elections. Tunisian financial authorities have subsequently opened investigations into at least a dozen organizations over funding and activities protected under the right to freedom of association, while banks have increasingly delayed or obstructed incoming transfers of funds from abroad, demanding excessive documentation regarding the transfers, thereby impeding NGO operations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.
